Labeling-machine.



H. STAKE L gx. P. EKVALL.-

LABELING MACHINE. APPLICATmN FILED ocT.2.19|8.

Patented Apr. 15,-1919..

3 SHEETS-SHEET I1 H. STAK'E & A. P. EKVALL. LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28. i918. I

Patented Apr. 15,1919.

1,301,015 3s EET-MEE 2 H. STAKE L A. P. EKVALL.

' LABELING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 28.1918.

` Patented Apr. 15,1919.

' @as 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

. HEEMAN sTAKE AND ARVID i?. EKVALL,

' packages of the character described OFfWORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS To ECONOMIC MACHINERY COMPANY, or WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A- coitro- RATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

,LABELING-MACHINE.

-. Specification oflietters Patent. -1- Patented Apr.,j15-,1=1919.

n Application filed October 28, 1918. Serial No. 259,954.

v To' all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, HERMAN STAKE and ARviD P. EKVALL, citizens ofthe United.n

States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester vand State of 'Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Labeling-Machines, of which the following is a specification. f

This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction and organization of mechanism for automatically delivering fixing labels thereon; the object being to provide a convenient, eiicient and economical means whereby flat boxes, packages or containers having a plain, depressed or sunken, panel surface, may be successfully and rapidly labeled.

Another object is to provide a novel orv ganization of mechanism adapted for automatically applying pressure for aHiXing labels upon the face of containers such as VVso i direction approximately v sardine-boxes or the like, by 'contact in a perpendicular to the labeled surface.

Another object is to provide, in a'machinel for the vpurpose specied, novel 1abel -presser `A mechanism and means for actuating y the same, in synchronous relation to the labelpresenting` mechanism andy intermittent y package-feeding means.

AOther objects and'featuresof our invention rvwill be understood fromthe following detailed description, `the particular subject matter claimed being lhereinafter 'definitely specified. Y Y y In the accompanying drawings, (three sheets) vreferred to as a part of this specilication, like reference characters denote like parts of the mechanism on the several. r

' for charging said pickers with adhesive.V

views. t

Figure l represents Fig. 2 is a detail view Vof the intermittentldrive mechanism for the package delivery chain. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the inachine. Fig. 4 is a plan view especially showv way and.' delivery and -afthe ygum transfer a side elevation of a labeling machine embodying our invention.l

illustrates the relative fOrmS "of the pressercontrolling cams upon theyoperating shaft. Fig; 7 isy a fragmentary plan view showing a portion ofthe package-supporting wayL as provided with springs orv frictional devices for retention of the package at labeling position. 'Fig 8 is a cross-sectionof the" runchain, and Fig. 9Nis a.

cross-section'of the run-way and discharge chains innreary ofthe chain driving sprocket. Referring to the drawings, numeral 1 de- .notes the frame of lsuitable construction for `supporting the various working parts, and is pre erably provided with a'pedestahbase or column l1 having ja broad outspread foot as shown. 2 indicates the main operating vshaft provided with a clutch connected pulley orwheel P, to which the motive power is applied in any well known or suitable manner. 3 indicates the vertically reciprocating picker-carrier operated upl and down by the lever 4 actuated by a cam 4+mounted on the shaft 2; and 5 indicates the label-pickers'supported upon said picker-carrier. H

` denotes the label-supply holder for containing a pack of labelsL. of the desired form, which are taken individuallyfrom the botgummed top surfaces of the picker plates 5,

ment -to the boX or article to be labeled. Numeral 6 indicatesthe gum-box or reservoir forV containing the' supply. of, gum, glue or 'other adhesive; and roll rotated within said gum-box by the chain 8 and suitable drive-sprocketaand 10 roll Awhich yis supported upon arms 9 to swing to and from the delivery roll 7 and torollracross the 4faces of the pickers 5 during their upward movement l2 indicates a swinging grip-device for temporarily clamping the label-to the package and releasing it from the pickers.V `Said grip-device is attached to an oscillatable shaft 13 journaled in the` frame and operated by an arm andconnection 14: actuated bv a cam upon the operating shaft 2.

The above described parts, in their relative arrangement and action, aresubstantially the same .as heretofore employed in practice; and are not,insol far as such prior employment is involved, means, ofour :tom of the pack by contact therewith of the 7 the guni-deliveringv illustrated extending through the machine vis located at .transverse to the run-way, parallel with the Vsuitable bearings frame, or upon Vvenient distance, Said run-way is provided with tracks orv beneath the label-applyva con- Fig. 1.

from front to rear, ing devices; its ends proiecting for as best shown in ledges 16 vupon which boxes or packages slide,.and with upright parallel side guards, l17 for keeping the same in alinement.

. Sprocket` wheels or sheaves 19 and 2() are l rotatively mounted at the respective ends of and a triple sprocket 21, or

the run-way, group of three sprocket-wheels (see Fig. 4) an intermedial position, somewha-t rearward and fixed upon a driven shaft 22 arranged operating shaft 2, and supported to turn in brackets attached thereto.

' A', delivery chain 25 passes around the front sprocket 19 and central member of the the intermediate group triple sprocket, Vor

discharge chains 26 and 21, and a pair of 26+ are arranged around the side sprockets of the intermediate group and around the sprockets 20 at the rear part ofthe run-way.

The upper reach of said chains approxi-` mately coincides with the plane of the tracks or run-way surface, and the delivery Y chain25 lis provided at predetermined in-l pusher dethe boxes tervals with projecting lugs or tents. 27 suitable .for propelling The discharg- The vrear end minates with a dischargetable or Vinclined chute 28., The tracks at the rearv of the triple sprocket-are .depressed slightly below the normal level of thepreceding portion, and the run-way isformed with grooves 17+ (see Fig. '9) upon chains slide, being thereby upheld from sagging so as to sustain the boxes upon the chains while carried to the discharge table. :Yielda'ble brake devices or flat springs 18 are arranged at the inner faces of the side guides 17 at the labeling position, ceiving its label and prevent its being projected beyond the desired place by momentum acquired frointhe quick movement of fthe delivery chain.

The housings 'inwhich the sprockets 19 i and20 are journaled, are preferably arranged for endwise adjustment upon the run-way frame forv regulating the tension on the chains'. The shaft 22 has 'a gear 24 benecial from the labeling position,

I taken, one at a time, 23 mounted upon the may bewithout lugs or detents.

of the run-way preferably ter-v the bottom of which the Vbut to yield inner ends of the swinginglevers 42 are connected by' pivotedly attached vlinks 45 with a cross-head fixed to an'upright mov-' which frictionally keep the box B inplace for rexed thereon, that meshes with aY-gear 29 arranged upon a shaft or axis support 30, which also has a radially slotted Geneva element 31 Amounted thereon and connected with said gear; and which is engaged by a disk 32 and wrist-pin 33 that are mounted upon and revolve with the operating shaft 2; said parts serving Ifor imparting intermittent movement to the triple sprockets 21 and chains 25 and 26 as the operating shaft revolves, and the pin 33 passes into and from the slot of the Geneva element; thereby advancing the chains with a step-by-step movement in synchronous relation with the actions of the label-delivering mechanism, and for a predetermined distance equal to the spaces between the detents 27 on the delivery chains.

At or near there is a chute or cage 35 preferably consisting of a set o-f upright stakes or guides adapted for inclosing a stack of unlabeled boxes in position to move down upon the delivery chain 25, whereby thev boxes are from the bottom of the stack by the respective lugs 27, and thereby carried to the position for receiving its label.

An important feature of our invention Yis the novel organization o-f means for pressing the label upon the flat or paneled surface of the box `or article to be labeled, by pressure applied in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane of the surface. This means comprises a pair of oppositely arranged presser levers 36 provided with ico presser faces'or pads 37 upon their inner ends. Said levers 36 are pivotally ful- 'crumed yupon the upwardly extendedarms of angle levers 38, which in turn are fulcrumedA as at 39, upon rigid brackets 40 attached to the run-way frame 15 and projecting outward at yeach side, thereof. Thel outer ends of the Vpresser levers 36 are'joined by pivotally attached links 41 with the outer ends of the y'swinging lever or member 42 fulcrumed .at a position intermediate theirk length, preferably upon the same axis-'pin 39. as the angle levers; said axis-pin being' supported between two projecting arms on the racketY 40. rI`he links 41 are best madeadjustable in respect to their length, and yieldable; each being provided with a spring 43 adapted to maintain their normal extension, under vany excess pressure. The

able rod or slide-bar 46; while thel inner arms of the angle-levers 38 are in similar manner connected by links 47 with a crosshead fixed -upon a rod or slide-bar 48 ar.-

moa-gew mainframe of the machine; f and are arranged to inove up and down therein with. an endwise reciprocal action.

Dual oscillatable members, preferably arranged asa horizontal shaft 50 having a tubular sleeve 5l thereon, are supported in bearings upon the frame 1+. Said oscillatable members are each provided with two yarms disposed thereon in approximately right angular relation. One arm on the shaft 50 is connected pivot-ally, or by link 52, with the slide-rod 46; while its other arm is pivotallyunited to an operating connection 53. Likewise, one arml on the sleeve or oscillatable member 5l is connected pivotally, or by link 52+ with the slide-rod 48 which actuates: the presser-levers 36; while its other arm is pivotally attached to a second operating connection 54, as illustrated. The operating connections 53 and 54, which consist of endwise moving bars, are actuated by cams 56 and 57 mounted upon and .revolving with the operating shaft 2. The rear end of said bar is preferably furcated to embrace the shaft as a guide, (see dotted lines F ig. l) and is provided with a stud` roll 55 that engages the face of the cam. Springs 58 and 59 are suitably connected with the respective bars 53 and 54, and to an anchorage fixed on the frame; said springs serving to keep their stud-rolls in Contact with the cams, and for movin'gthe bars in one direction as controlled by the cams. The relative forms ofthe cams are shown in F ig. 6.

The operation is as follows: Assuming that the label-holder H contains a supply, of labels; that the gum-box 6 has a quantity of glue or similar adhesive material therein; and that the machine is inaction; the boxes orpackages B arestacked in the cage 35 above the delivery chain 25. At each revolution of the labeler operating shaft 2 the wrist-pin 33- engages a slot of the Geneva element 3l and causes a partial revolution of the gearsl 29v and triple ysprocket 21, and thereby effects an intermittent movement of the chains 25, 26 and 26+. A detent 27 of the chain 25 takes the packages B singly from thebottom of the stack and advances them to the labeling position in time to receive the label L which is brought down from the label-supply pack L by the gum-applying pickers 5, and centrally clamped to the package by the swinging grip-device 12. The

vconnections 53 and 54 then being actuated by the cams 56 and 57 effect, by oscillation of the shlaft 50 and sleeve 5l, a downward movement of the slide-rods 46 and 48, the former slightly in advance of the latter. Such movements cause the angle-levers 38 to swing thev presser-levers 36 from their outward spread position (see Fig. 3) inward to position Where their presser pads 37 are over the label and package; while the immediately following action of the slide-rod 48' and' its connections tilts the levers 42 Aand 36- on their fulcrums and thereby brings the presserpads 37 down upon the label, pressing it upon the depressed or sunken panel surface within the protruding rim ofthe box or package B, such as are usually formed on sardine containers and similar fiat packages; the'pressure being exerted thereon in a direction perpendicular to the `plane of the at surface, the contact being maintained without lateral effect.

As the operating shaft and cams '56 and 57 further revolve, movement of the connections 53 and 54 and oscillative members 50 and 5l is reversed, thereby respectively moving the slides or rods 46 and 48 upward;l this action by the rod 46 and intervening parts causes the presser-levers 36 to tilt so as to lift the presser-pads 37 away from the label, while the action by the rod 48 and links 52 throws outward the fulcrum-supporting arms of the angle levers 38, thereby laterally retracting the presser members to spread position, as shown in Fig. 3; At the next movement of the chain actuating mechanism' the labeled box or package is transferred to the discharge chains 216, 26+, and another box or package is brought into positi'on beneath the label-aflixing members and the operation repeated.

What fvve claim isl. A machine for labelingflat or paneledface boxes or'the like, including a bottom delivery label-'supply holder, vertically moving pickers, means forgummingsaid pickers, a grip-device acting between said pickers, a box-supporting run-Way extending beneath the pickers, a traveling delivery chain provided 'with detents for propellingfthe boxes `along said run-way, means for intermittently actuating said chain, a pair of tiltable j presser-levers having face members disposed for pressing the label upon the pacleagcinV a direction approximately Vperpei'idicular to its surface, right and left oppositely swinging fulcrum-carrying members havingthe fulcrum of said presser-levers respectively carried thereon, supports at the sides of the run-wayfor the fulcrumsl of'said carrying members, means for actuating said carrying members and presser-levers independently, and means for operating the label-delivering mechanisms, box-delivery mechanism, and presser devices Iwith a relative synchronous action. l

2. In a machine ofthe class described, the combination, with means for gumming, delivering and clamping a label, a packagesupporting way, and means for automatically presenting a package in position for receiving its label and for removing said package therefrom; of label-pressingdevices adapted for giving a non-wiping pressure upon the label, including a tiltable lio Y Iso V4o iary lever below said presser-lever, stationpresser arms Y saidA auxiliary lever,

presser -rlever fulcrumed for Lup and down action 'of its Apad vor pressin face, fulerumsupporting means adapted for carrying the fulcrum of said tiltable presser-lever laterally in respect to the ypackage-supporting way, mechanism for imparting an independent movement to said fulcrumsupporting means, yand to said tiltable presser-lever, and means for operating said parts synchronous with the label-applying mechanisms.

3. A machine for labeling flat packages of the character described, including means for gummi'ng, delivering and clamping a label upon a panel or flat surface, a 'run-way having package-supporting tracks and upright side guides extending underneath said labeldelivery means, a package supply upon said run-way, an intermittently actuated chain adapted Vfor moving packages along the tracks yto the label-receiving position and away therefrom, yieldable devices at the sides of the run-way for positioning or detaining the package for receiving its label, laterally oscillatable fulcrum supporters at opposite sides 'of the run-way, tiltable fulcrumed thereon and having their presser-facesfadapted for pressing the labelto the fiat surface of the package with aA non-wipingg ,i` contact approximately perpeiidicular to the plane of its surface, and means for actuating said fulcrum supporters and said pressers. Y p 4. In a machine of the class described, in combination with means for positionin a package, and means for guinming and piacing a label thereon; a presser device comprising a tiltable presser-lever having a presser pad swinging fulcrum-carrier presser-lever Y having said yfulcrumed thereon, an f auxilary fulcrumibearings for said carrier and a yieldable link connecting'the outer arms of the presser-lever and auxiliary lever, a spring arranged for normally extending said link, and actuating means respectively connected for moving said fulcrum-carrier and saidfauxiliary lever with independently controlled synchronous action.

- 5. Ina machine of the class described, the combination, with means for gumming, delivering, and clamping a label upon abox or package having a flat or paneled surface, means for supporting said package, comprising a run-way with bottom tracks and guiding side members, and means for positioning the package to receive its label; of labelaiiixing presser devices, including a pair of transversely arranged levers having 'elastic presser-pads at their inner ends adapted for contact with the label approximately perpendicular tothe plane of its surface, angle levers having their fulcrums supported at the sides vof the run-way, their at its inner fend, a laterallyV yand a means for upward presser-levers, a pair of reciprocating slides, cam-controlled means for operating said slides individually, intermediate connecting members uniting the arms of the respective presser-levers with one of the slides, and means uniting the inner arms of the anglelevers to the other slide, for operation substantially as set forth.

6. In a machine for the purpose described, a presser mechanism comprising in combination, a package-supporting element, a pair of upwardly and downwardly swinging presser-levers having faceV members for pressing the label upon the package, a pair of angle-levers fulcrumed upon brackets attached to the package-supporting element,

arms carrying the fulcrums of said and having the fulcrumsrof the presser-lever to the respective inwardly projecting arms of said angle-levers, an oscillating shaft supported in bearings on the frame and having f an arm connected for moving the slide-inember that actuates the auxiliary levers and presser-levers, an oscillating shaft or sleeve having an connecting-bars respectively pivoted to arms fixed on said'shaft and sleevea rotating operating shaft, and cams mounted-uponsaid shaft for eecting and controlling the move',V

ment of said connecting-bars. v

7 In a labeling machine, the combination arm connected for moving the. slide-member that actuates the angle-levers,

ioo

of a run-way comprising parallel side guides and tracks for supporting flat boxes or the like, ardelivering chain centrally along said run-way, a pair of discharge chains, chainsu-pporting sheaves at the ends of the runway, an intermediately positioned triple sprocket-Wheel operatively .engaging said chains, means for gumining and delivering labels including ya label supply, a gum supply, vertically reciprocating vicker-carrier having gum-applying picker-p ates thereon, transferring gum to the picker surfaces, oppositely disposed presser members each comprising a swing-lever and an angle-lever fulcrumed upon stationary supports at either side of the run-way, and an oscillatable presser-lever centrally fulcrumed upon the arm of said angle-lever and having its outer end linked to the outer arm of said swing-lever, and means for independently` actuating said angle-lever vand' the label-supply holder, vertically reciproeating pickers, picker-gumming means, a grip-device, an operating shaft with means for actuating the pickers, gumming and grip device, a package-supporting run-way extending beneath said pickers, a delivery chain and discharge chains traveling along said run-way, a shaft extending across the run-way frame, sprockets mounted on said shaft and carrying said chains, a gear fixed on said shaft, an intermediate gear meshing therewith connected with a Geneva element mounted on an axis support below the runway, and a revolving disk and wrist-pin carried by the operating shaft and engaging said Geneva element for intermittently actuating said chains, label-aflixing pressers adapted for downward pressure upon the packages, laterally retractable supports for said pressers at the sides of the run-way, and intermediate mechanism for contro-lling said pressers actuated by cams mounted upon said operating shaft.

9. In a labeling machine, the combination with means for delivering, gumming and aiiixing labels, a support for a box or article to be labeled, consisting of a guide-way having tracks whereon the articles slide, means for supporting a stack of boxes for delive thereto, a delivery chain provided with detents movable along the center of said guideway, a pair of discharge chains, guide wheels for |`said chains at the respective ends of the guide-way, a triple drive-sprocket carrying said chains at an intermediate position and means actuated from the operating shaft for intermittently rotating said drive-sprockets, said parts being constructed and organized for operation substantially as set forth.

10. In a labeling machine, in combination with label-applying mechanism, 'including the label-supply holder, reciprocating pickers, picker-gumming means, a grip-device, the main operating shaft, and means for actuating said pic ers and grip-device; a work-supporting run-way extendin beneath said pickers, a delivery chain, a pair of dis- 4 said shaft, an

charge chains, a triple-sprocket carrying said chains, a shaft therefor extending across the run-way frame, a gear fixed on intermediate gear meshing therewith and joined with a Geneva element mounted on an axis support below said runway, and a revolving disk and pin carried by the main operating shaft and engaging said Geneva element for intermittently actuating said chains, label-aiiixing presser mechanism supported at the sides of the runway frame, said pressers being adapted for exerting direct downward pressure upon the label and package, and retractable laterally beyond the path of the pickers, and means for actuating said presser mechanism controlled by cams upon the labeler-operating shaft.

l1. In a machine of the character described, in combination with label-applying instrumentalities, a package supporting means consisting of a run-way frame disposed horizontally beneath the label-delivery position and extending at front and back thereof; said runwfay comprising upstanding side guides of said run-way, tracks whereon the packages slide, and an intervening groove in the 'bottom of said run-way, package :supply cage mounted upon the runway, an endless chain moving in said intervening groove and provided with detents that pass beneath said cage, sprocket-wheels supporting and operating said dhain, edgeembracing members at the sides of the runway, for locating and temporarily detaining the package to receive its label, presser mechanisms at the opposite sides of the runway, having presser members with faces that flatly contact with the plane of the label upon the ackage while detained at osition by said side embracing members, an means for operating said parts.

Witness our lha-nds this twenty fourth day of October, 1918.

HERMAN STAKE. ARVID P. EKVALL.

copies of this patent may be obtained for ive cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

